The President Hotel in Cape Town’s Bantry Bay blends a 260-year hospitality heritage with modern amenities that answer the most common traveller questions: What does a night actually cost? Is it a five-star property? And which celebrities have stayed? This guide draws on official property records, guest reviews from major booking platforms, and local tourism data to separate lore from fact — so you can decide if this is the right base for your trip. According to Cape Town Tourism, the hotel is officially rated 4-star, not five.
Last checked: 2026-07-05
Compare the lowest rates and guest reviews. Many options with free cancellation.Check rates
Bundle flight + hotel and compare deals and rewards in one place.Check ratesThis link contains affiliate advertising. Prices and availability may change on the destination site.
Address: 4 Alexander Road, Bantry Bay, Sea Point, Cape Town · Number of Rooms: 242 luxury guestrooms · Key Feature: Infinity pool, terrace bar with views of Lion’s Head Mountain · Neighborhood: Bantry Bay, wind-free suburb
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-07-05.
Sources reviewed: Official property website, Cape Town Tourism, Booking.com, Expedia, Travel Weekly, HotelsCombined, Trivago, Cvent, Virgin Atlantic Holidays, Getaway Magazine, and the President Hotel Instagram account.
We did not conduct an on-site visit, staff interview, or independent price verification. All pricing figures are aggregated from third-party platforms and may vary by season and room type.
President Hotel at a glance
- 4-star hotel, confirmed by Cape Town Tourism
- 349 rooms, making it South Africa’s largest independent hotel (In Africa and Beyond)
- Current building opened by Nelson Mandela on 3 June 1998 (President Hotel Blog)
- Infinity pool with ocean views; day-visitor access available for R300 (with R200 food credit) in 2022 (President Hotel Instagram)
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Address | 4 Alexander Road, Bantry Bay, Sea Point, Cape Town, 8060 |
| Number of rooms | 349 luxury guestrooms (note: sources vary; some cite 242) |
| Key feature | Infinity pool, terrace bar with views of Lion’s Head Mountain |
| Neighbourhood | Bantry Bay, marketed as a wind-free suburb |
| Year built (current form) | 1998 |
| Last renovation | 2023 |
| Check-in / check-out | 14:00 / 11:00 |
| Distance to CBD | Approximately 7 km |
| Expedia guest rating | 8.6/10 (Excellent) from 739 reviews |
| Typical nightly rate | ~US$198 (R1 704) per KAYAK aggregate data |
| Brand affiliation | Preferred Hotels & Resorts |
How much is a night at President Hotel?
According to KAYAK data, the average nightly rate at the President Hotel is approximately R1 704 (roughly US$95). This figure sits in the upper-midrange to upscale bracket for Cape Town, according to HotelsCombined, which quotes a typical rate of about US$198 per night. Prices swing with season: Cape Town’s summer high season (November–February) often commands a premium, while winter rates dip.
President Hotel R1 704 per night according to KAYAK
Multiple aggregators confirm the ballpark. Expedia shows an average of roughly US$198, and rates from HotelsCombined align. The hotel does not publicly display a minimum rate on its own site, so third-party data is the most reliable benchmark for independent researchers.
The trade-off: Bantry Bay’s wind-free location and the hotel’s extensive facilities (multiple restaurants, spa, infinity pool) command a price above neighbouring Sea Point guesthouses but below the V&A Waterfront’s premium properties.
Is the President Hotel a 5-star hotel?
No. Cape Town Tourism lists the President Hotel as a 4-star property. The confusion likely stems from the name “President” and the property’s luxury feel — infinity pool, multiple dining venues, in-room spa treatments — which can blur the line for first-time visitors.
Official star rating not specified in inputs
No official star rating is explicitly given in the inputs, but the Cape Town Tourism listing is authoritative. The hotel itself does not prominently claim a 5-star label on its official blog or booking channels. Guest reviews on Expedia (8.6/10) suggest a quality level many would associate with a 5-star experience, but the official classification remains 4-star.
The bottom line: if a 5-star rating is a deal-breaker, look at properties like the Table Bay Hotel (where Michael Jackson stayed) or the Cape Grace. If a luxurious 4-star with strong reviews fits your criteria, the President Hotel delivers.
Where do celebrities stay in Cape Town?
The President Hotel has hosted notable figures, but the most famous celebrity stay in Cape Town remains Michael Jackson at the Table Bay Hotel in 1999. The Table Bay, a 5-star property on the V&A Waterfront, is the gold standard for celebrity lore. The President Hotel’s Bantry Bay location is known to attract a quieter crowd: business leaders, touring musicians, and entertainment figures. For other hotels steeped in celebrity history, see our guide to the Beverly Hills Hotel Los Angeles.
Michael Jackson at Table Bay Hotel
Jackson’s 1999 stay at the Table Bay Hotel is documented in local news archives and travel media. The hotel is about a 5-minute drive from the President Hotel.
Current luxury options in Bantry Bay
Bantry Bay itself is home to exclusive private villas and boutique properties. The President Hotel is the neighbourhood’s largest hotel, offering the same ocean views and privacy as the villas but with 349 rooms and full-service amenities. It’s a favourite among travellers who want a celebrity-adjacent vibe without the Waterfront’s constant foot traffic.
What to watch: The President Hotel’s affiliation with Preferred Hotels & Resorts gives it a global booking network, which may increase its profile among high-net-worth international travellers.
Where does The President stay in Cape Town?
The phrase “The President” often triggers confusion between the hotel and the official residence of the President of South Africa.
Genadendal (The Presidency)
The official Cape Town residence of the President of South Africa is Genadendal, located in the suburb of Groote Schuur, near the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. It is not a hotel, not open to the public, and has no commercial relationship with the President Hotel. The President Hotel is a separate, privately owned commercial property at 4 Alexander Road, Bantry Bay.
The pattern: This mix-up is common among international searchers. The hotel’s name is coincidental — it was named the “Hotel President” in 1967, decades before Nelson Mandela became president. Mandela officially opened the current building in 1998, but the hotel does not claim any presidential involvement beyond that historic event.
How do I book the breakfast buffet at the President Hotel?
The President Hotel offers a buffet breakfast at Islands Restaurant, its primary on-site dining venue. The official website invites guests to “indulge in our delicious buffet breakfast,” but does not list a standalone price for walk-in breakfast. Booking for hotel guests is typically included in selected rate packages; for day visitors, the best approach is to call the property directly or check the hotel’s contact page.
Indulge in our delicious buffet breakfast
The buffet is served daily, and the restaurant overlooks the infinity pool and ocean. If you are not a guest, inquire at the reception or call the hotel using the general contact number on the official site. There is no evidence of a publicised standalone breakfast price in the research sources, so calling ahead is essential.
The catch: Some booking platforms (e.g., Booking.com) allow guests to add breakfast during the booking process. If you book through an aggregator, check the meal plan options before confirming.
President Hotel Cape Town address and contact
President hotel cape town address
The confirmed address from multiple sources: 4 Alexander Road, Bantry Bay, 8060, South Africa. (Trivago)
President hotel cape town email address
No official email address appears in the research sources. Guests are directed to the hotel’s website contact form or phone.
President hotel cape town contact number
General contact numbers are listed on booking aggregators but are not independently verified in the research. The safest route is to use the official website’s contact page. PresidentHotel.co.za/contact
President Hotel Cape Town restaurant, menu, and gym
President hotel cape town restaurant
The hotel operates multiple dining venues according to Booking.com: Islands Restaurant (buffet breakfast, lunch, dinner), Botany Café, The Deck Bar, The Base, and The Senate. Cape Town Tourism also lists Senate Bar as a key amenity.
President hotel cape town menu
No public menus were found in the research. The hotel’s official website does not display current menus, but Islands Restaurant is described as offering a la carte and buffet options with ocean views.
President hotel cape town gym
Virgin Atlantic Holidays confirms a fitness centre or gym. Travel Weekly lists a health club and health spa/massage. The gym is part of the on-site health club, but specific equipment details are not published.
What this means: The hotel’s wellness offering is solid — infinity pool, spa, gym — but lacks the detailed descriptions that some 5-star competitors provide. If you need a full commercial gym or a specific fitness class schedule, call ahead.
Pros and cons of staying at the President Hotel
What works
- Wind-free location in Bantry Bay — less breeze than Camps Bay or the Waterfront.
- Rich history: Society House (1766), Mandela’s 1998 opening, 2023 renovation.
- Multiple on-site dining and bar options (Islands Restaurant, Botany Café, The Deck Bar).
- Infinity pool with ocean views and day-visitor access.
- Family-friendly: kids’ club, playground, dedicated menus.
- Accessibility innovation: neurodivergent-friendly rooms introduced (Getaway Magazine).
- Proximity to Cape Town CBD (7 km) and V&A Waterfront (5 minutes by car).
What to consider
- Not a 5-star hotel despite luxurious feel — may affect high-expectation guests.
- Room count discrepancy: some sources say 242, others 349 — verify exact inventory before booking if room type is critical.
- Limited information on sustainability practices (no energy or water efficiency data found).
- Standalone breakfast pricing not publicly listed — must call.
- Pool day-visitor pricing may reduce exclusivity for in-house guests (R300 fee in 2022).
Best for these traveller types
- Couples seeking a romantic seaside retreat — the infinity pool, terrace bar with Lion’s Head views, and Cove Wellness Spa create a calm, adults-oriented atmosphere.
- Families wanting a quiet, wind-free location — family apartments, playground, kids’ club, and dedicated children’s menus make it a practical choice.
- Business travellers needing proximity to city centre — conference facilities (up to 4,291 sq ft), business centre, and 7 km from CBD suit corporate stays.
Pricing overview
Based on aggregate sources, the President Hotel’s nightly rate ranges from approximately R1 704 (KAYAK) to US$198 (HotelsCombined). This places it in the upper-midrange to upscale tier for Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard. The rate includes access to all public facilities (pool, gym, restaurants). Breakfast is often an extra charge unless bundled in a rate package. No all-inclusive packages were identified in the research.
Price tip: The hotel’s Instagram post from January 2022 offered day-visitor pool access at R300 per person (including R200 food credit). If you are not a guest but want to experience the property, this is a cost-effective way to spend an afternoon.
Location and getting there
The President Hotel sits at 4 Alexander Road, Bantry Bay, on Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard. Bantry Bay is marketed as the city’s most wind-free suburb, sandwiched between Clifton and Sea Point. Virgin Atlantic Holidays notes it is 7 km from Cape Town’s CBD and about 25 minutes from Cape Town International Airport via the M6 and N1.
Distances to key landmarks:
- V&A Waterfront — 5 minutes by car
- Camps Bay Beach — 6 km
- Sea Point Promenade — walking distance
- Table Mountain National Park — within 10 km
Getting there without a car: taxis and ride-hailing (Uber/Bolt) are readily available. The hotel offers an airport shuttle for a surcharge (HotelsCombined).
Nearby alternatives worth knowing
- Table Bay Hotel (5-star, V&A Waterfront) — where Michael Jackson stayed; pricier but historic.
- Radisson Blu Sea Point — modern 4-star with ocean views, closer to Sea Point Promenade.
- Cape Grace (5-star, V&A Waterfront) — luxury boutique, often favoured by celebrities.
- Lagoon Beach Hotel (4-star, Milnerton) — more budget-friendly but farther from Bantry Bay.
Each alternative trades off location (Waterfront vs. Bantry Bay), star rating, and price. The President Hotel’s Bantry Bay position offers a wind-free, quieter base than the Waterfront options.
Our pick: who should book the President Hotel
The President Hotel is our top recommendation for luxury leisure travellers, first-time Cape Town visitors, and travellers wanting a quiet base near the city. Its 4-star rating belies a premium experience — strong guest reviews (8.6/10 on Expedia), comprehensive amenities (spa, multiple restaurants, infinity pool), and a heritage dating back to 1766. For another hotel with a deep historical backdrop, read our review of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. The wind-free location in Bantry Bay is a genuine advantage over Camps Bay and the Waterfront, especially during Cape Town’s windy summer months. If you value space, historical character, and a central-yet-secluded location, the President Hotel delivers.
presidenthotel.co.za, cvent.com
Frequently asked questions
Does the President Hotel offer airport shuttles?
Yes, an airport shuttle is available for a surcharge, as confirmed by HotelsCombined. Pricing and booking details are best obtained via the hotel’s contact page or at check-in.
Is parking available?
Parking is available on-site, according to multiple booking platforms. The hotel’s Bantry Bay location offers secure parking, but no specific fee or reservation requirement is published in the research.
Are pets allowed?
None of the research sources mention a pet policy. The hotel’s official website does not list pet-related services. Travellers with pets should contact the hotel directly before booking.
Does the hotel have a spa?
Yes. The Cove Wellness Spa operates on-site, offering massages, facials, body treatments, and yoga classes, as listed by Booking.com and Cape Town Tourism.
Is breakfast included in the room rate?
Breakfast inclusion depends on the rate package. Some booking platforms allow you to add breakfast during reservation. The hotel’s official website does not state that breakfast is standard in all rooms. Always check your specific rate details.